Who enforces Dutch Elm Disease prevention and controls under the Agricultural Pests Act?

The Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to preserve and protect Alberta's elm trees from Dutch Elm Disease (DED). Members include federal, provincial and municipal representatives, nursery workers, landscapers, commercial and municipal arborists, research scientists, and other interested Albertans. 

STOPDED has a hotline number in which questions or concerns about DED can be directed to, and have recently received some calls in regards to who enforces the “Provincial Dutch Elm Disease Prevention/Control Measures.” Alberta Agriculture and Forestry administers the Agricultural Pests Act (APA), and all municipalities are to appoint inspectors to carry out enforcement, and control of all pests listed under this Act. These could be a municipal pest inspector, bylaw enforcement officers or agricultural fieldman.

For more information, please see the Agricultural Pests Act and the Provincial Dutch Elm Disease Prevention/Control Measures or the STOPDED website.

STOPDED can be reached on their hotline at 1-877-837-ELMS for questions related to DED prevention and control.